Limerick Chamber

Lobbying Organisation Limerick Chamber

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Public Expenditure and Reform

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details immediate introduction of simplified application for unemployment supports at onset of COVID-19 pandemic and further submission of policy proposals for state supports in response to the economic impact of the pandemic

Intended results simplified application form and expedited processing of unemployment payment supports for the workers laid off in March 2020 recommendations to support government policy formulation in response to the immediate economic impact of pandemic

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dee Ryan, Catriona Cahill, Eoin Ryan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Phone call (11-20)

Commencing 12th March, multiple telephone calls, emails and one meeting with Deputy Kieran O'Donnell to secure an immediate response from government for emergency supports to assist employers support employees who were being laid off as a result of COVID-19.

Email (11-20)

Commencing 22nd of March, multiple communications to department officials, Ministers and deputies, supplying them with policy proposals developed by Limerick Chamber Chief Economist and Policy Committee. Recommendations were made as a support to government in formalising next stage policy response to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Kieran O'Donnell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Watt Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Denise Duffy Special Adviser (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Pauric McPhillips Special Adviser (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

Simon Coveney Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Chris Donoghue Special Adviser (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Ed Brophy Special Adviser (Department of Finance)